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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which famous researcher whose work focused on emotions does Abrams cite in Part I?

2. Where was Abrams driving with Archbishop Tutu a decade before the publication of the book when they became stuck in traffic?

3. What kind of tea do Abrams, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Tutu drink each week?

4. What is the word that means the opposite of taking pleasure in someone else's good fortune?

5. What does Archbishop Tutu think about the nature of humans?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Part II, what does the Dalai Lama identify as the connection between fear and anger?

2. In Part II, what does the Dalai Lama say that stress and anxiety in modern life are often caused by?

3. In Part II, what is the main difference between how the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu advise people to handle feelings of envy?

4. In Part I, what do the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu agree is necessary for the creation of something beautiful?

5. In Part II, what distinction does Archbishop Tutu draw between hope and optimism?

6. In Part II, what does Archbishop Tutu emphasize about his view on human nature as a whole when bad things happen to him or in the world?

7. In Part I, what is one of the ways the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu express their affection for each other?

8. In Part I, what does Archbishop Tutu say ultimately leads to people's greatest experiences of joy?

9. In the Introduction, why does Abrams say Archbishop Tutu might not have been able to travel to take part in the talks that made up the material for the book?

10. In Part II, what is one thought the Dalai Lama thinks people should remember in terms of the world population to stave off loneliness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What distinctions does the Dalai Lama emphasize to ensure that those who forgive past traumas are not harmed again by the very act of forgiveness? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How do you think Douglas Abrams' personal relationship - and friendship - with Archbishop Desmond Tutu affected his perspective and his approach to writing The Book of Joy? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the Dalai Lama's teachings about the links between forgiveness and strength, and those between revenge and weakness.

(see the answer keys)

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